Ahead of his fourth cancer surgery in 18 months, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has named Vice President Nicolas Maduro his successor. The 50 year old Maduro is one of Chavez’s longest serving aides, having been the president of the National Assembly before becoming Foreign Minister in 2006.

Barack Obama & Chavez above in a show of solidarity, Nicolas Maduro in the background

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez named a longtime ally with close ties to Cuba his heir apparent as the cancer-stricken leader prepares for a potential departure after almost 14 years in power.

Chavez, in a nationwide address over the weekend, said he was throwing his “irrevocable, absolute” support behind Vice President Nicolas Maduro to lead his 21st century socialist revolution should he be unable to carry out his duties. Chavez made the comments as he prepared to fly to Cuba for surgery, his fourth in 18 months, to treat an undisclosed form of cancer that he said reappeared in exams after winning re-election Oct. 7.